cliff and something technical comes out in the unemployment rate drops for some reason. ashley: let's hear from the man himself, mr. bernanke. >> good afternoon. it has been about three and a half years since the economic recovery began. the economy continues to expand at a moderate pace. unfortunately however unemployment remains high. about 5 million people, more than 40% of the unemployed have been without a job for six months or more. millions more who say they would like full-time work an have only found part-time employment or stop looking entirely. the conditions in the job market now show waste of human and economic potential. return to broad-based prosperity will require sustained improvement in the job market which in turn requires stronger economic growth. meanwhile apart from some temporary fluctuations largely reflected swings in energy prices, it is likely to run at or below the federal market committee's 2% objective in coming quarters over the longer term. against a macroeconomic backdrop includes high unemployment and subdued inflation, the fomc will mai